Bible Strands
Genesis 17:23
On that very day Abraham took his son Ishmael and all those born in his household or purchased with his money—every male among the members of Abraham’s household—and he circumcised them, just as God had told him.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — God finishes speaking and departs from Abraham in Genesis 17:22, immediately before Abraham acts on the covenant command. Abraham responds to this divine instruction by acting on that very day.
The words — The Hebrew verb וַ/יִּקַּ֨ח (va/i.yi.Kach) means "and he took," describing Abraham's immediate physical action. It is followed by כָּל\־ (kol-) meaning "all," which specifies the complete scope of every male in his household.
The thread — This immediate obedience parallels the commitment to keep commandments found in Psalms 119:60. The covenant requirement for every male to be circumcised is established in Genesis 17:10 and fulfilled alongside Ishmael in Genesis 17:26.
Why it lands — The text records Abraham's prompt compliance with a specific divine command without delay. It demands recognition of the covenant's tangible requirement and the immediate response it requires from those bound to it.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And Abraham took Ishmael his son, and all that were born in his house, and all that were bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham’s house; and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin in the selfsame day, as God had said unto him.
Cross-references
- Psalms 119:60 I hurried without hesitating to keep Your commandments.
- Genesis 17:10 This is My covenant with you and your descendants after you, which you are to keep: Every male among you must be circumcised.
- Genesis 17:26 Abraham and his son Ishmael were circumcised on the same day.
- Genesis 18:19 For I have chosen him, so that he will command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, in order that the LORD may bring upon Abraham what He has promised.”
- Proverbs 27:1 Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.
- Genesis 34:24 All the men who went out of the city gate listened to Hamor and his son Shechem, and every male of the city was circumcised.
- Joshua 5:2 At that time the LORD said to Joshua, “Make flint knives and circumcise the sons of Israel once again.”
- Ecclesiastes 9:10 Whatever you find to do with your hands, do it with all your might, for in Sheol, where you are going, there is no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom.
- Acts 16:3 Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, so he took him and circumcised him on account of the Jews in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.
- Romans 2:25 Circumcision has value if you observe the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision.